Question

Topic: Other

Is Easy-to-use/ease-of-use A Need Or An Attribute?

Posted by Anonymous on 11/17/2005 at 4:10 PM ET 100 Points
I have a Corporate Mission I am working around. It aims to make products that are “easy to use.” Is that ease of use a need they are addressing, or is it a feature of the products they make?

“Easy-to-use” is worded like an attribute and “Ease of use” is worded like a need- which way is most useful?

Now if it is a feature, what would be need?

Well if it is a need, I can see that the feature would be the thing that makes the product/software easy-to-use. (example: Perforations on toilet paper)

So put it into my context. (This example may make things less clear- sorry!) The company A makes a hardware product. To use the product you have to get another hardware product from another company B and this other company B’s “linking” software or drivers and make it all work together.

Alternatively, company A can just sell you all the stuff you need in the same “package,” making it… easier to use?

That sounds very good. My problem is if I say easy-to-use is a need, then it can apply to everything, so it becomes meaningless? Like saying quality is a need… that’s an attribute right?

(Sorry guys, these are some very non-intense questions I’ve been asking lately… Do I need to be student to post in the student forum?)

Thanks,
Amanda
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 11/17/2005 at 9:13 PM Accepted
    It really does depend on the category. In some categories, easy-to-use could be a benefit. Think about how difficult it used to be to set a videotape recorder. One that was truly easy to use would have been terrific.

    In other categories, easy-to-use is a feature that leads to a potential benefit. Think about software that's easy to use so you can get your work done faster and with less hassle, and look like a superstar to your boss. The end-benefit might be that you'll be noticed and appreciated -- not that the product is easy to use.

    The other thing you might think about is the level of benefit. In the best case, easy-to-use is a first-level benefit. What are the second- and third-level benefits?

    Example: The FedEx website is easy to use. That means you can increase your productivity (i.e., ship and track packages faster) if you use it. And, if you increase your productivity, you save your company money. You're seen as a smart person who increases company profits by improving productivity. Now THERE is an end-end-benefit! A whole lot better than "easy-to-use," isn't it?
  • Posted on 11/21/2005 at 5:35 PM Member
    Amanda, could you contact me? I have a few Qs about a previous question you posed.

    Thanks!
    CColdren (see my profile)
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